Resources

Media Resources

Americans for Medical Progress (AMP) connects reporters with research contacts, spokespeople, pictures and video to provide a current and accurate profile of the importance of animals in biomedical research and testing.

AMP Media Spokespersons

Paula Clifford is the executive director for Americans for Medical Progress where she leads AMP’s advocacy efforts and its educational programs focused on developing the next generation of advocates.

Previously, she was the Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research (PSBR), where she created and led several innovative programs designed to provide information to the public about biomedical research and the role of animals in advancing medicine and science.

During this time, she also served States United for Biomedical Research (SUBR) where she played a key role in fostering collaborations among other biomedical research organizations to more effectively leverage resources, analyze trends and inform the public. Her past professional roles include Vice President of Operations for Animal Care Training Services (ACTS), training manager at the University of Pennsylvania, and veterinary technician in both research and private practice settings.

Paula holds a master of liberal arts in Training Program Evaluation from the University of Pennsylvania, a BA in biology from Rutgers and an AAS in veterinary technology from Camden County College. She is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and a Registered Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG).

Cindy A. Buckmaster, PhD, CMAR, RLATG

Dr. Cindy Buckmaster is Chair of the Board of Directors for Americans for Medical Progress. She is also director of the Center for Comparative Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine where she oversees one of the largest animal care and use programs in the country. Her involvement in the laboratory animal community spans a wide range of educational, advocacy, and public outreach initiatives.

Cindy contributes regularly to the public outreach column for Lab Animal magazine, is an author on several scientific articles, and speaks often to audiences across the country and abroad. She is frequently interviewed by reporters about the issues involved in animal based research.

Her previous professional experience includes training researchers and animal care technicians about the humane care of laboratory animals, working with nonhuman primates to understand how various regions of the temporal lobe support learning and memory in primates, and teaching science to high school and college students.

Cindy holds a master’s degree in science education and a PhD in neurobiology and behavior from Stony Brook University.

She is also a member of the National Animal Interest Alliance Board of Directors, the president of the Texas Society for Biomedical Research, a past president of the Laboratory Animal Welfare Training Exchange, and past president of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science.

Jim Newman

Jim Newman serves as director of strategic communications for Americans for Medical Progress, where he leads AMP’s media and communications programs and is the editor of AMPlify Advocacy, a monthly newsletter focused on outreach, and AMPNews, a weekly subscription newsletter about research communications and security. Prior to joining AMP as an employee, Jim served on the organization’s Board of Directors for several years.

In the past, Jim was the director of external communications for The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the director of media relations for Oregon Health & Science University and OHSU’s Oregon National Primate Research Center. Throughout his 13+ years at OHSU, Jim managed communications to counter claims and actions by several animal rights groups including PETA, In Defense of Animals, Stop Animal Exploitation Now and the Animal Liberation Front. This work included directing proactive and reactive communications following two activist infiltrations of the Oregon National Primate Research Center, two ALF attacks, the harassment of scientists and their families at their homes and countless protests.

Jim has also worked as an account supervisor at KGBTexas Communications, a highly-regarded PR and marketing firm in Texas, with offices in San Antonio and Houston.

Jim’s professional experience includes nearly a decade of work as a television news producer in the following media markets: Portland, Oregon; Nashville, Tennessee; South Bend, Indiana; and Lansing, Michigan.

Jim graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications. He has been a member of the National Association of Science Writers and the Public Relations Society of America.

Images

These images are free to distribute according to Creative Commons. Please attribute to Americans for Medical Progress.

Facts

There’s more basic information about animal research in this fact sheet by our colleagues at Speaking of Research.

You may also visit our Come See Our World website where you will find images and stories of animals needed for research. Learn more about the animals that are an integral part of advancing medicine for both humans and animals.